The 11 Best Apps to Learn German Quickly at Home
Chad Emery
Last updated on March 14, 2023
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Want to learn German? As one of the most spoken languages in the world, there are a lot of ways to study German online. But not all of them will help you become fluent. That’s why I created this list of the 11 best apps to learn German.
Best Overall German App
Best for Grammar
Best for Beginners
By using the apps on this list, you’ll learn everything from reading and writing to listening and speaking. Some of the apps focus on improving specific skills like vocabulary and grammar while others have more comprehensive courses. Whether you use one app on this list or multiple, these German learning apps are the best ones available today!
How Long Will It Take You To Learn German?
What Are The Best Apps To Learn German?
I love testing and reviewing language apps, and I’ve used over 50 of them on my language learning journey. To make this list of the best apps to learn German, I did more than just test them myself. I looked at the prices, features, and content quality and compared my experience of using the apps with other users’ experiences on major review sites, like Trustpilot and g2.
I did this to find the apps that will truly help you learn conversational German, not just a few fun words and phrases. All of the apps on this list will help you take one big step towards becoming fluent in German, whether you’re planning a trip to Germany or want to live there someday.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at the list!
| Best Overall App to Learn German | ||||
| Best App to Learn German Grammar | ||||
| Best Beginner German App | ||||
| Best German App with Audio Lessons | ||||
| Best App for German Immersion Online | ||||
| Best App to Learn German Vocabulary | ||||
| Best German App to Learn Language and Culture | ||||
| Best German Podcast App | ||||
| Most Comprehensive German App | ||||
| Best App to Learn German Articles | ||||
| Best App to Learn German for Free |
Babbel
Overall Best App to Learn German
Babbel Overview
Babbel is the overall best app to learn German because it has a complete course that goes from complete beginner to conversational. The content is high-quality and helpful, and the lessons follow a logical order.
The lessons are different from other apps that just play audio and have you repeat it. Babbel lessons have you actively make choices, put together phrases, and practice speaking with voice recognition technology. Because of this, you learn to communicate in German, not just memorize random words and phrases.
Try Babbel for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Babbel review.
Key Features
- German linguists built the course from scratch
- Practice all communication skills at the same time
- Learn how Germans actually speak so you sound more natural
- Lessons are interactive and engaging to help you remember everything
Pricing
A Babbel subscription costs $14.95 per month, but it gets cheaper if you buy a longer subscription. Babbel offers a 20-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind.
Sign up now for a free lesson with Babbel to start learning German today.
Rocket Languages
Best App to Learn German Grammar
Rocket German Overview
Rocket Languages has a complete German course that teaches you every aspect of the language. The focus is on becoming conversational, and the lessons help you achieve this by completing different activities.
One way the Rocket Languages German course stands out among other language learning apps is how it teaches grammar. While other German apps expect you to memorize grammar rules, Rocket Languages teaches you the most useful grammar in a simple way. Then it has you practice it.
Try Rocket German for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Rocket German review.
Key Features
- Complete the course at your own pace
- Lots of practice activities to reinforce what you learn
- Includes lessons about German culture to help you sound like a native speaker
- Simple grammar explanations are easy to follow
Pricing
The Rocket Languages German course has 3 levels. Unlike other apps, you buy Rocket Languages courses upfront for lifetime access and don’t need a subscription. Level 1 costs $149.95, levels 1 and 2 together cost $299.90, and all 3 levels cost $449.85.
Rocket Languages also offers a free trial and 60-day money-back guarantee to make sure you’re completely happy with the course.
Mondly
Best Beginner German App
Mondly Overview
Mondly is the best German app for beginners because it focuses on teaching you the basics quickly. Instead of overwhelming you with difficult grammar and advanced topics, Mondly helps you master the basics of German conversation.
You can choose the order you want to complete the lessons in and they’re all interactive. Mondly also has other tools to help you practice speaking German, like a chatbot and virtual reality (VR) scenarios.
Try Mondly for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Mondly review.
Key Features
- Flexible course lets you choose the lessons you want to do
- Track your learning statistics to see your progress
- Includes grammar notes to quickly learn important concepts
- Uses augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to help you learn
Pricing
Mondly has both a free and premium version. In the free version, you can access some of the content and try out a few lessons. To access the whole course and additional features, you can get a premium subscription. This starts at $9.99 per month, but there are discounts for longer subscriptions.
Try Mondly free for 7 days to see if it’s the German app for you!
Pimsleur
Best German App with Audio Lessons
Pimsleur Overview
Pimsleur is one of the most well-known brands in language learning, and for a good reason: its courses work. The app uses audio lessons to get you speaking in German within minutes.
Pimsleur gradually immerses you in more and more German as you go through the lessons, and it always builds on what you already know. Focusing on audio also has another advantage – you can take the lessons anywhere you want!
Try Pimsleur for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Pimsleur review.
Key Features
- The lessons are audio to help you start speaking fast
- Each lesson builds on what you already know
- The course is easy to follow and moves at a steady pace
- Take the lessons anywhere you want – at home, in the car, or even while exercising
Pricing
A subscription to the Pimsleur app costs between $14.99 and $19.99 per month. You can also choose to purchase lifetime access to the complete German course, which starts at $150.00.
Get a 7-day free trial of Pimsleur and start speaking German today.
LingoPie
Best App for German Immersion Online
LingoPie Overview
LingoPie is an immersive way to learn German because you watch tv shows and documentaries to learn your target language. Each video has subtitles so you can click on the word to see the translation.
You can also create your own custom flashcard set for each show. When you click on the word to see the translation, LingoPie automatically adds it to your list. There is a ton of content available so there’s always something new to watch.
Try LingoPie for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this LingoPie review.
Key Features
- Fun and immersive way to learn
- Watch tv shows with subtitles
- Create custom vocabulary lists
Pricing
LingoPie costs $12.00 per month or you can get a yearly subscription for $67.00 ($5.60 per month). You can try LingoPie for free with a 7-day trial. It gives you access to all the languages and features available.
Drops
Best App to Learn German Vocabulary
Drops Overview
Drops is the best app to learn German vocabulary. It has a huge amount of vocabulary lists for you to learn, and the games and activities help you remember words and phrases long-term.
Drops shows you a new word along with a unique animation. You then work through a series of activities to practice that word. Over time, Drops uses spaced repetition to help you review each word and commit it to your memory. It’s a straightforward method, but it works well.
Try Drops for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Drops review.
Key Features
- Beautiful app with a sleek design
- Thousands of useful words not included in other apps
- Animations are helpful for remembering words
- Set your own study time, starting at only 5 minutes per day
Pricing
Drops offers a free account that lets you practice German vocabulary for 5 minutes every day. To practice more, access all of the vocabulary lists, and use additional features, you can get a premium account. This starts at $13.00 per month but gets cheaper if you choose a longer subscription.
Sign up and try Drops for free for 5 minutes every day.
MosaLingua
Best App to Learn German Language and Culture
MosaLingua Overview
MosaLingua is the best app for learning both the German language and culture. Culture is an aspect that a lot of language apps don’t include. It's a shame because it’s an important part of any language. And that’s why MosaLingua focuses on it.
MosaLingua uses a huge variety of flashcards to teach you important words and phrases, but it offers a lot more. From videos, music, and even complete ebooks, MosaLingua lets you experience German culture firsthand while learning. You can also automatically add vocabulary to your list from anywhere on the web.
Try MosaLingua for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this MosaLingua review.
Key Features
- Quickly learn essential words and phrases in German
- Easily find tools and resources to immerse yourself in the language
- Create custom vocabulary lists using any website you want
- Excellent quality offered for a low price compared to other apps
Pricing
A subscription to MosaLingua web version costs $4.99 per month or $9.49 per month on the app. You can also get a yearly subscription for $59.90.
Sign up to try MosaLingua free for 15 days!
GermanPod101
Best German Podcast App
GermanPod101 Overview
GermanPod101 is the perfect option if you’re looking to improve your listening skills. The lesson topics cover everything you need to know about communicating in everyday situations.
But it's more than just a podcast. GermanPod101 also has video and text lessons to interact more with the language. It has flashcards, quizzes, and even personalized guidance from a private German tutor.
Try GermanPod101 for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this GermanPod101 review.
Key Features
- Thousands of lessons give you something new to learn everyday
- Set up a personalized study plan with a German tutor
- Text, audio, and video lessons teach you how to navigate everyday situations
- Additional practice exercises reinforce what you learn in the lessons
Pricing
GermanPod101 offers a free version, as well as three premium subscription types: Basic, Premium, and Premium+. A basic subscription to GermanPod101 costs $8.00 per month, but the price can go down to $4.00 per month if you get a longer subscription. The Premium and Premium+ memberships include a lot of additional features and range from $10.00 to $47.00 per month.
Sign up for a free GermanPod101 account to get a new German lesson every week.
Rosetta Stone
Most Comprehensive German App
Rosetta Stone Overview
Rosetta Stone has been around for a long time, and that’s because it’s a solid, high-quality language learning app. It has continuously improved its courses over time. The Rosetta Stone German course is both comprehensive and immersive. Its flexible structure lets you learn German at your own pace.
You won’t see any English when you use the app either, which is what makes it so good. Rosetta Stone forces you to figure out what words mean and how to use them, which is exactly how you learned your native language.
Try Rosetta Stone for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Rosetta Stone review.
Key Features
- Well-known and established language learning app
- Completely immersive but not intimidating or overwhelming
- Flexible and you can move at your own pace
- Lessons are short and manageable
Pricing
A subscription to the Rosetta Stone app costs $36.00 for 3 months. You can also choose a longer subscription and get a discount.
Sign up for a free 3-day trial to see if Rosetta Stone is a good fit for you.
Der Die Das
Best App to Learn German Articles
Der Die Das Overview
It can be difficult for English speakers to master German articles, but you need to know them if you want to speak effectively. The Der Die Das app is perfect for memorizing and practicing articles for a variety of common words.
You can search over 17,000 words, learn helpful tips and tricks for knowing a word’s article, and play games to practice identifying the articles.
Key Features
- Dictionary has over 17,000 words
- Useful rules and guidelines to figure out the article of words
- Games to practice choosing the correct article
- Add words to your favorites for quick reference
Pricing
The Der Die Das app is completely free to use. To access additional features, there are purchases available in-app.
Master German articles with the Der Die Das app.
Duolingo
Best Free App to Learn German
Duolingo Overview
Famous for its green owl mascot, Duolingo is the best app to learn German for free. It has an entire course full of lessons that help you learn the basics of the language. It also helps you practice all aspects of communication (speaking, listening, reading, and writing). Overall, it’s a great way to build a solid foundation in the German language.
Try Duolingo for free by clicking the link below or learn more about it in this Duolingo review.
Key Features
- Completely free to use
- Offers entire course that covers a wide range of topics
- Designed like a game to make learning fun
- Adapts to you over time
Pricing
It’s completely free to sign up and use Duolingo to learn German, but it is ad-supported. This means advertisements will interrupt your learning every once in a while. To remove the ads and access additional features, you can subscribe to Super Duolingo for $12.99 per month or $83.99 per year.
Try Duolingo Plus free for 14 days!
Why You Should Use Apps To Learn German
Using apps to learn German is a quick and easy way to learn the language. Instead of searching through websites or chapters in a textbook, you can simply download an app and have a complete learning system at your fingertips.
Language apps also keep statistics on your progress, so you can always know what parts of a language still need work. They also have other features like instant messaging and video chats to help you practice real-time communication.
Apps are perfect for people who want to learn how to speak another language in different formats like articles, videos, interactive lessons, quizzes, or games.
How To Use Apps To Learn German
It's easy to learn German with apps, but first, you have to find the one that is best for you. Most offer a free trial or access to some of the content so you can see if you enjoy using the app before buying.
Once you have an app or two that you like, it's time to set a learning routine. Most apps encourage daily study to help you continually improve and retain what you've already learned. You can also use a language app in combination with another study method like using a German book or taking an online course.
Best Apps To Learn German: Final Thoughts
The apps on this list are the top 11 apps to learn German. I’ve reviewed them based on their features and pricing in order to help you narrow down your options.
Check out some of these apps by taking advantage of their free trials to begin learning German. All you need is motivation and just a few minutes each day with one of these apps, soon enough you’ll be fluent in German. As one of the most spoken languages in Europe, you’ll never regret it!
Best Apps To Learn German: FAQ
It takes years to become completely fluent in German, but you can be fully conversational in less than a year. As long as you study and practice consistently, it’s possible to learn German pretty quickly compared to other languages.
To see how long it will take you to learn German, check out this fluency calculator.
The best app to learn German is Babbel. It provides a comprehensive German course that takes you from complete beginner to conversational. It helps you build vocabulary, learn the most important grammar, and practice communication in every lesson.
You can learn German by yourself at home with enough motivation and high-quality learning tools. Using apps to learn German like Babbel, Mondly, and MosaLingua makes learning German at home fun and simple. To learn to speak German at home, you can use an app like italki or Preply to find an experienced tutor.
A lot of people think German is hard to learn, but that’s not actually the case. While the grammar can be a little challenging at first, you only need to learn it once. The German language is easier to learn if English is your native language, too.